Stick with it, improve your health

By Tony Lascari tlascari@mdn.net

Published
1:00 am EST, Sunday, January 6, 2013

NICK KING | nking@mdn.net Jon Klein works on his chest during a workout session on Wednesday at the Midland Community Center. Klein, who has been coming to the gym regularly for a year, has seen many improvements to his health since starting his routine. less

NICK KING | nking@mdn.net Jon Klein works on his chest during a workout session on Wednesday at the Midland Community Center. Klein, who has been coming to the gym regularly for a year, has seen many ... more

Photo: Nick King/Midland Daily News

Photo: Nick King/Midland Daily News

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NICK KING | nking@mdn.net Jon Klein works on his chest during a workout session on Wednesday at the Midland Community Center. Klein, who has been coming to the gym regularly for a year, has seen many improvements to his health since starting his routine. less

NICK KING | nking@mdn.net Jon Klein works on his chest during a workout session on Wednesday at the Midland Community Center. Klein, who has been coming to the gym regularly for a year, has seen many ... more

Photo: Nick King/Midland Daily News

Stick with it, improve your health

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You step up to the treadmill, stair climber, weight machine. You run, climb, lift. Repeat.

In about a month, you’re burned out.

It happens at the end of January each year as people drop their New Year’s resolutions and revert to their pre-holiday habits.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Midland resident Jon Klein found a way to make it work last year and stuck with his workout plan.

The 25-year-old spent part of his Wednesday afternoon on elliptical and weight machines at the Midland Community Center — something he does about three times a week.

Klein started coming to the gym with a friend and realized he had to stick with it, rather than stopping after a short time.

“Why don’t we just keep going and not fall off and have to start from zero again?” he said.

A few months in, Klein reached a turning point. Instead of struggling during workouts, he felt bad when he didn’t hit the gym. When he stuck to the plan, he slept better and had more energy throughout the day. A key to his success has been varying his workout, he said.

“I’ve noticed if you do the same thing over and over, you don’t get the same results,” he said.

He also keeps his earbuds in to pump the music while working out.

“The music definitely helps,” he said. “It helps a lot.”

Lauren Haines, lead trainer with the Midland Community Center, said the center becomes busier after New Year’s Day with people putting a serious effort into their resolutions.

The first group to drop off does so in about a month and a second drop off comes at about three months, Haines said. The center’s staff works with people to give them tools for success so they can stick to their goals, she said. They offer orientation to teach people how to use equipment in the wellness center and set realistic expectations.

People working out for the first time or after a long break might overestimate their abilities and push themselves too hard at the start, which can lead to burnout or injuries.

Haines offered a couple ideas to help make this year the one that changes your life.

Take a break from the treadmills and try a fitness class, the lap pool or time on the basketball courts.

“Try something different,” Haines said. “Some people weren’t meant to do the exact same thing every day.”

Also, find someone to hold you accountable.

“There are a lot of people who are coming in groups — the buddy system,” Haines said. “A lot of that is New Year’s resolutions: ‘I’ll go if you go.’ That seems to work.”

Liz Kenny, wellness coordinator with the Midland Community Center, said it’s also important to learn how to deal with the bad days. Maybe you don’t want to show up or the workout doesn’t feel like you expected. Work through it, Kenny said. The key is sticking with it anyway, because the next day might be a great day, she said.

Current government guidelines recommend adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity, aerobic, physical activity. Children should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily.

Visit www.health.gov for more information on the activity guidelines and tips for eating healthy.